Horizontal lathe with overhead bridge

ABSTRACT

A horizontal lathe has an overhead bridge on each side of which a machine tool slide is disposed, the space below the workpiece being free. A conveyor for workpieces can be arranged in this free space.

United States Patent Bronzini July 4, 1972 [54] HORIZONTAL LATHE WITH[56] References Cited OVERHEAD BRIDGE UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] My3,423,812 l/1969 Spur ..29/38 [73] Assignee: FratelliMorando & C.S.p.A.,Turin, Italy 2,534,993 12/1950 Robichaud.... ..82/3 X [22] Filed: June26, 1970 3,400,618 9/1968 Steinmetz ..82/2.5 [21] Appl. No.: 50,160Primary Examiner-Leonidas Vlachos Att0meyYoung & Thompson [30] ForeignApplication Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Feb. 21, 1970 Italy ..67580 A/70A horizontal lathe has an overhead bridge on each Side f which a machinetool slide is disposed, the space below the U-S- ..82/2-5, w rkpiecebeing free A conveyor for workpieces can be ar, [51 Int. Cl ..B23b 15/00ranged in this f Space [58] Field oiSearch ..82/3,2.5,2.7,2

2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures HORIZONTAL LATHE WITH OVERHEAD BRIDGE Thepresent invention relates to horizontal lathes of the type that have oneor more horizontal spindles for rotating workpieces about horizontalaxes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide such a lathe whichpermits easy supply and removal of workpieces.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of such a lathefrom which turnings can be readily discharged.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide such alathe which will be relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture,easy to operate, maintain and repair, and rugged and durable in use.

Briefly, the objects of the present invention are achieved by providinga horizontal lathe having an overhead bridge with downwardly extendingmachine tool slides mounted on either side of the bridge, the spacebelow the workpiece being free. A conveyor for supplying workpieces toand removing workpieces from the lathe can be disposed in this freespace.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from a consideration of the followingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a lathe according to the presentinvention, with a part thereof in cross section; and

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the lathe of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawing in greater detail, there is shown a lathehaving a frame indicated at 1, comprising a pair of pillars la and 1bthat are spaced apart lengthwise of the axis of rotation of the lathe. Across rail or bridge 2 is secured at its ends to the tops of the pillars1a and 1b and bridges across over the space between the pillars.

Power-operated vertically reciprocable metalworking machine tool slides3 and 4 are carried by bridge 2 one on either side thereof, foroperating on metal workpieces 5 below the bridge. A centering member 6carried by pillar 1a supports one end of workpiece 5 while a spindle 7coaxial with centering member 6 and mounted for rotation in pillar lbsupports the other end of workpiece 5. A motor 8 drives spindle 7 in theusual way to rotate workpiece 5. It will of course be understood thatthere can be one assembly of members 6, 7, 8 or a plurality of suchassemblies for simultaneously acting on workpieces that are parallel toeach other. The tools 3 and 4 are advanced and retracted and otherwisemoved by conventional power means indicated only diagrammatically in thedrawing.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the space 9 below the workpieces 5 is open andfree and pemiits the provision of an automatic workpiece loading andunloading device 10 therein, for advancing workpieces into space 9,positioning them for reception and retention by the members 6, 7, andthen for removing the workpieces on which the work operation has beencompleted. Device 10 can be conventional in nature and accordingly neednot be described in greater detail. A trough l 1 recessed in the floorcatches the turnings and permits their easy removal. The open space 9facilitates the discharge of these turnings.

From a consideration of the foregoing disclosure, therefore, it will beevident that all of the initially recited objects of the presentinvention have been achieved.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated inconnection with a preferred embodiment, it is apparent thatmodifications and variations may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit of this invention, as those skilled in this art will readilyunderstand. Such modifications and variations are considered to bewithin the purview and scope of the present invention as defined by theappended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. A horizontal lathe comprisinga frame, said frame comprising a pair of spaced upright pillars, anoverhead bridge supported on and extending between the upper ends ofsaid pillars, means for retaining and rotating about a horizontal axis aworkpiece disposed beneath the bridge, said means comprising a pair ofspindles rotatable about a common horizontal axis, one of said spindlesbein mounted on and extending horizontally from one said pil ar belowsaid bridge toward the other said pillar, the other spindle beingmounted on and extending horizontally from said other pillar below thebridge toward said one spindle, a pair of machine tool slides mountedone on either side of the bridge for acting on workpieces carriedbetween said spindles, and workpiece feed and discharge means disposedbelow said spindles in the space between the pillars for feedingworkpieces to and removing workpieces from the space between saidspindles.

2. A horizontal lathe as claimed in claim 1, said pillars beingsupported on a floor, and a trough recessed in the floor below saidspace between said pillars for catching and removing turnings from saidworkpiece.

1. A horizontal lathe comprising a frame, said frame comprising a pairof spaced upright pillars, an overhead bridge supported on and extendingbetween the upper ends of said pillars, means for retaining and rotatingabout a horizontal axis a workpiece disposed beneath the bridge, saidmeans comprising a pair of spindles rotatable about a common horizontalaxis, one of said spindles being mounted on and extending horizontallyfrom one said pillar below said bridge toward the other said pillar, theother spindle being mounted on and extending horizontally from saidother pillar below the bridge toward said one spindle, a pair of machinetool slides mounted one on either side of the bridge for acting onworkpieces carried between said spindles, and workpiece feed anddischarge means disposed below said spindles in the space between thepillars for feeding workpieces to and removing workpieces from the spacebetween said spindles.
 2. A horizontal lathe as claimed in claim 1, saidpillars being supported on a floor, and a trough recessed in the floorbelow said space between said pillars for catching and removing turningsfrom said workpiece.